Athletics at the 1972 Summer Olympics – Men's 400 metres
These are the official results of the Men's 400 metres event at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich. The competition was held on the 3rd & 7th of September.
On the victory podium, Vince Matthews and Wayne Collett staged a protest, talking to each other and failing to stand at attention during the medal ceremony. On the advice of Avery Brundage, the IOC banned them from further competition. Since the third American competitor, John Smith, had pulled a hamstring while leading 80 metres into the final and had been ruled unfit to run, the United States were left unable to field a 4 x 400 relay team, and were thus forced to scratch from the event.
Bronze medalist Julius Sang became the first black African to win a sprint Olympic medal.Heats
The top four runners in each of the nine heats and the next four fastest, advanced to the quarterfinal round.Heat 2
Heat 3
Heat 4
Heat 5
Heat 6
Heat 7
Heat 8
Heat 9
Quarterfinals
The top three runners in each of the five heats, and the next fastest, advanced to the semifinal round.Quarterfinal 1
Quarterfinal 2
Quarterfinal 3
Quarterfinal 4
Quarterfinal 5
Semifinals
Top four in each of the two heats advanced to the final round.Semifinal 1
Semifinal 2
Final
